Giro Rosa photos: Guarnier claims biggest win of career

Look back on the biggest women's race of the year, the Giro Rosa, which was won by American Megan Guarnier.

Despite coming into the Giro Rosa with a number of favorites for the race, Boels – Dolmans didn’t seem to be feeing the pressure as prepartions for the prologue got underway in Gaiarine. Photo: VelofocusAs the sun began to set in Gaiarine, riders took the streets for the two-kilometer prologue. Photo: VelofocusIt was an impressive start to the Giro Rosa for Boels – Dolmans, placing five riders in the top 15. Photo: VelofocusLeah Kirchmann (Liv – Plantur) celebrated the biggest win of her career to date in the prologue on Canada Day. Photo: VelofocusMarta Tagliaferro of Alé Cipollini attacked early on stage 1, staying solo until the the climbs in the final third of the race. Photo: VelofocusThe climbs in the final section of the stage left a reduced sprint for stage 1. Giorgia Bronzini held off making her attack for the line until the last possible moment to take the stage win. Photo: VelofocusMegan Guarnier’s second-place finish on stage 1 was enough to see her take the race lead. By coincidence, it was the same town that Guarnier donned the pink jersey for the first time in 2015. Photo: VelofocusDespite Tarcento being packed with the best female cyclists in women’s cycling, it was Elena Cecchini’s French Bulldog that stole the show. Lapping up the attention as riders prepared for stage 2. Photo: VelofocusStage 2 saw the peloton speed through the Udine province with the mountains on the horizon, a constant reminder of what was to come at the end of the stage with a tough climb to Montenars. Photo: VelofocusAs the final climb to Montenars got closer, Boels – Dolmans came to the front to control the race. Photo: VelofocusOn the climb to Montenars, the pace set by Lizzie Armitstead tore the peloton to shreds. Photo: VelofocusWith 400 meters to go on the climb to Montenars, race leader Guarnier could only watch as elite group pulled away from her on the steepest part of the climb. Photo: VelofocusElena Cecchini battled up the climb on her home roads during Stage 2 at the Giro Rosa. Photo: VelofocusStage 2 winner, Evelyn Stevens took the leader’s jersey from her Boels – Dolmans teammate in Montenars. Photo: VelofocusDescending through the hairpins on stage 3. Boels – Dolmans defended the jersey by setting a high pace on a stage for the sprinters. Photo: VelofocusRoadside spectators welcomed the riders as they sped though Lendinara. Photo: VelofocusWith 100 meters to go on stage 3, Chloe Hosking of Wiggle – High 5 took control of the sprint finish. Going on to win the stage. Photo: VelofocusThe peloton weaved through the Bergamo countryside on stage 4, another day earmarked for the sprinters. Photo: VelofocusTiffany Cromwell of Canyon – SRAM Racing celebrated her stage win on stage 4 in Lovere. Photo: VelofocusThe Mortirolo was the featured climb on stage 5, as the race headed into the mountains. Photo: VelofocusWhile other riders fought their way up the infamous Mortirolo, further up the road, Mara Abbott was in her element. Building a commanding lead. Photo: VelofocusWith a lead of around five minutes at the top of Mortirolo, Mara Abbott descended to victory and into the pink jersey. Photo: VelofocusAs the race reached day seven, the temperatures soared. Roxane Knetemann of Rabo – Liv waited in the shade until the last possible moment before taking to the start line for stage 6. Photo: VelofocusKasia Niewiadoma of Rabo – Liv attacked early on another day in the mountains on stage 6 but was joined by race leader, Mara Abbott and Evelyn Stevens by the halfway point in the stage. Photo: VelofocusAs the race approached the climb final climb to Madonna della Guardia on stage 6, Boels – Dolmans took control. Setting a high pace into the foot of the climb. Photo: VelofocusEvelyn Stevens earned her second stage win of the Giro Rosa at Madonna della Guardia, attacking in the final kilometers to the summit finish. Photo: VelofocusMegan Guarnier’s second-place finish on stage 6 was enough to see her regain the race lead. Photo: VelofocusLocals were waiting to greet the riders in the hilltop town of San Martino during the stage 7 time trial. Photo: VelofocusAnna van der Breggen had lost time in the opening week of the Giro Rosa as she endeavored to defend her 2015 title. The challenging time trial was her opportunity to catch up some of that lost ground. Photo: VelofocusEvelyn Stevens put in an impressive performance during the time trial to earn her third stage win at the Giro Rosa this year. Photo: VelofocusWith one stage to go, Megan Guarnier’s lead in the race for pink seemed secure. Photo: VelofocusThe last trip to collect precious water supplies on the final day of this year’s Giro Rosa. Photo: VelofocusRiejanne Markus of Liv – Plantur worked hard to form the early break on the final stage around Verbania. Photo: VelofocusThe peloton was content to see the break go up the road as it weaved through villages on the northern shore of Lago Maggiore. Photo: VelofocusSheyla Gutierrez of Cylance Pro Cycling and her breakaway companions worked well together, building a lead of six minutes. Photo: VelofocusOn the final climb Thalita de Jong of Rabo – Liv attacked. Going solo over the final GPM of the Giro Rosa 2016. It was a downhill all the way for the Dutchwoman’s first stage win at the Giro Rosa. Photo: VelofocusStage 9 winner, Thalita de Jong waited patiently backstage for her moment on the podium in Verbania. Photo: VelofocusJob done. Megan Guarnier finished comfortably in the bunch to secure the Giro Rosa 2016 title. Photo: Velofocus

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All NewsAntonio Pesenti reaches the summit of the Col du Galibier during the 1931 Tour de France in this photography courtesy of VeloPress from Goggles and Dust: Images from Cycling's Glory Days from The Horton Collection. Buy this book

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